Schedule Your Covid-19 Vaccine with The Prescription Center The Prescription Center has Moderna, Pfizer, and J&J vaccines available. 15-minute rapid tests also available. No appointments are necessary for vaccines and/or testing. The Prescription Center has two convenient locations. Downtown Scranton at 310 Adams Ave. and South Side Scranton at 329 Cherry St. Ste 1A.
PennDOT Announces Annual Highway Safety Survey The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is seeking motorists’ input on traffic safety and driving behaviors through its annual online Highway Safety Survey found at www.PennDOT.gov/Safety. “Safety is our top priority and we value continued public engagement in making our roadways safer,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “The results from this annual survey help us gauge participants’ attitudes on highway safety, and potentially allow us to adjust our safety activities so we can further reduce crashes and fatalities.” The survey is available on PennDOT’s website through August 23 and should take about five minutes to complete. All responses, including the “comments” fields, are anonymous. Nearly 8,000 people responded to last year’s survey, answering questions about safety habits such as seat belt use, impaired driving, speeding, and distracted driving. Notably, nearly 91 percent of respondents said they always wear a seat belt and approximately 88 percent said they never drive while impaired. When asked how often they choose to exceed the posted speed limit, nearly 84 percent of respondents said they speed at least some of the time. “Speeding reduces a driver’s ability to react to changing traffic or road conditions,” said Gramian. “It puts you, your passengers, and others on the road at risk. Slow down, be safe.” For more information on our highway safety efforts, visit www.PennDOT.gov/Safety. Follow PennDOT on Twitter at www.twitter.com/PennDOTNews, like the department on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PennsylvaniaDepartmentofTransportation and Instagram at www.instagram.com/pennsylvaniadot.
The Heritage Explorer Bike Tour The Heritage Explorer Bike Tour is back! We hope you’ll come along for the ride! Lackawanna Heritage Valley’s Heritage Explorer Bike Tour is returning to the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail in 2020, but this year, things are going to be a little different. The Heritage Explorer Bike Tour has become an annual tradition to promote the development of the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail. With safety in mind, this year’s event will bring our community together in a virtual celebration throughout September in honor of Trails Month. Cyclists will embark on their own journeys, at their own pace, when and where they choose to help support the ongoing maintenance of the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail. The event is a fun, family-friendly and noncompetitive event. Riders of all ages and abilities will have the chance to ride along in support of the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail. Supporters can register now, choose their route and distance, and show their support online for the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail. At the end of Trails Month, Lackawanna Heritage Valley will award participants with official event t-shirts as our way of saying thank you for your support.
The Greater Scranton YMCA Needs Your Vote The Greater Scranton YMCA needs your help by voting for them to receive a $25,000 grant from State Farm® to help improve their community. Starting August 18th at 12:00 a.m. ET, U.S. residents who are 18 and older with a valid email address can vote for their favorite cause at www.neighborhoodassist.com. The Greater Scranton YMCA has until August 27th at 11:59 p.m. ET to rally votes and anyone voting is allowed up to 10 votes per day. On September 29th, the top 40 vote-receiving causes will be announced at www.neighborhoodassist.com and a $25,000 grant will be awarded to each of the affiliated nonprofits. A $25,000 grant from the State Farm Foundation would allow the Greater Scranton YMCA to hire a full-time staff person who would be dedicated to the success and future development of the Y’s current Food Program. Presently, due to a lack of funding and staff, the Food Program only serves children enrolled in Early Childhood Education Programs at the Greater Scranton YMCA. The addition of a full-time staff person dedicated to the Food Program and its growth would allow the Y to not only provide meals to individuals enrolled in more programs at the Y, for example summer day camp, after school, and programs serving older adults; but provide meals to the community at large, including veterans, as we know food insecurity affects individuals of all ages and backgrounds. To cast your vote for the Greater Scranton YMCA between August 18th and August 27th, visit our cause page here: https://www.neighborhoodassist.com/entry/2038251. “The Greater Scranton YMCA is honored to have been chosen as a State Farm Neighborhood Assist® Top 200 Finalist,” said Trish Fisher, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “We would appreciate our community rallying together so we can turn our dream of expanding our Food Program to serve more children, adults and families in need of healthy food into a reality!” State Farm Neighborhood Assist is a crowd-sourced philanthropic initiative that empowers communities to identify issues in their neighborhoods. The State Farm Review Committee selected the top 200 finalists from 2,000 submissions.
NEPIRC’s Annual Manufacturing Day Event The Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NEPIRC) announced the return of its regional National Manufacturing Day (MFG DAY) 2021 Manufacturing Best Practices Summit & Expo. This year’s event will be at the Mohegan Sun Pocono Convention Center on October 1st, 2021. The event, which attracted nearly 400 participants in 2019 and garnered over 500 virtual event attendees in 2020, is open to manufacturers, suppliers, and local businesses that serve industrial customers and job seekers. NEPIRC’s 2021 MFG DAY expo will feature four (4) timely-topic breakout sessions, a keynote speaker luncheon, an afternoon industry panel discussion on automation (robotics) implementation, a post-event reception and plenty of networking time for exhibitors and attendees. David Beurle, futurist and founder of Future iQ, will provide the keynote address – The World Ahead: A Decade of Turbulence, Transformation & Triumph – as a follow-up to his 2019 presentation to a capacity audience at NEPIRC’s 2019 gathering. In addition to highlighting the region’s manufacturers, providing networking opportunities and offering world-class content, this year’s MFG DAY event will encourage the creation of localized supply chains and regional business-to-business commerce. “Our manufacturers learned a great deal during the pandemic – including the risks associated with distant supply chains and, conversely, the benefit of localized supplier and vendor relationships,” said Eric Joseph Esoda, NEPIRC’s President & CEO. “In response, our manufacturers are entering the post-pandemic economy eager to create new networks and business relationships with companies within the region and conduct more business locally,” he added. Following NEPIRC’s 2019 MFG DAY event, 83% of attendees indicated that the likelihood of doing business with vendors, suppliers and fellow manufacturers that they met at the event had increased significantly. More than 92% of attendees stated that they planned to attend NEPIRC’s next MFG DAY event. The full agenda for the event, as well as sponsorship, exhibitor and attendee registration information can be found at www.NEPIRCMFGDAY.com or obtained by calling Chelsey Coslett, NEPIRC’s Manager of Marketing & Stakeholder Engagement, at 570.704.0018.
Award Winning Journalist Tracey Matisak to Host WVIA Mental Health Initiative Mind Over Matter Award winning journalist Tracey Matisak will host the WVIA and Geisinger presented mental health initiative Mind Over Matter. “We are excited to have Tracey guide conversations and increase awareness of mental illness prevention, treatment, and management in our area” said Ben Payavis II, WVIA’s Chief Content Officer. “Her extensive resume and inquisitive approach make her an ideal partner on this project to inform and engage the people of northeastern and central Pennsylvania.” “Mental health is a topic that, until recently, has not gotten the attention it deserves. While we have all been (rightly) focused on COVID-19, the anxiety and depression that have come along with it have created something of a secondary pandemic. I’m encouraged by those in the public eye who have courageously come forward to share their challenges and spark a national and long overdue conversation around mental health. It’s a topic that has touched my own life, and one that I’m looking forward to exploring with WVIA viewers through Mind Over Matter. My hope is that the series will encourage and challenge us all, and heighten our awareness and sensitivity to this important topic” said Matisak. With more than 30 years of major market television and radio experience, Tracey has anchored numerous special projects for WHYY-TV/PBS in Philadelphia; she also serves as a regular guest host on WHYY-FM’s Radio Times with Marty Moss-Coane. In addition, Tracey serves as moderator for the Philadelphia Speakers Series, where she has shared the stage with the likes of NBC’s Tom Brokaw, former British Prime Minister David Cameron, Equal Justice Initiative founder Bryan Stevenson and acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns. Tracey is a frequent moderator for the Author Events series at the Free Library of Philadelphia, where she has interviewed former Defense Secretary Robert Gates, entertainer and civil rights activist Harry Belafonte, Huffington Post co-founder Arianna Huffington and Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles, among others. In addition, Tracey travels nationwide hosting live, interactive executive leadership webcasts for Skillsoft Corporation. In that capacity, she regularly interviews some of the most widely respected authors and speakers in the business world, including Daniel Pink, Seth Godin, John Maxwell and Angela Duckworth. Tracey is perhaps best known for her work in television news, having worked for 12 years at FOX 29, Philadelphia. There, she anchored the live morning show Good Day Philadelphia and served as an anchor and reporter for FOX 29’s Ten O’Clock News. She was also a contributor to the HGTV show Design Basics, and has served as a news anchor for a number of Philadelphia radio stations, including KYW Newsradio. A graduate of Temple University, Tracey taught for several years there as an adjunct instructor in the Klein College of Media and Communication. A winner of several local Emmy awards, Tracey was among the first to be inducted into Temple University’s School of Media and Communications Hall of Fame. She has also won the Sarah Award for Excellence in Broadcasting from the Association for Women in Communications and was named Communicator of the Year by the National Black MBA Association. Originally from Hazleton, PA, Tracey and her husband Daniel are the parents of three young adults; they live in suburban Philadelphia. Mind Over Matter is a yearlong initiative which includes programs and presentations created by WVIA. The series goal is to combat the stigma and increase awareness, prevention, treatment and management of a range of mental Illnesses. Like WVIA’s successful Battling Opioids series, this public health initiative aims to improve the mental and physical health of our community through a multi-platform approach that will include TV, radio, and digital content. Major funding for Mind Over Matter is provided by Geisinger. On Thursday, August 26th at 8pm the initiative will present Living with Alzheimer’s & Dementia, a program that explores the effects these diseases have on individuals, families and communities. To find more information and to learn more about Mind Over Matter visit wvia.org/mindovermatter.
Johnson College Requiring Face Coverings Inside All On-Campus Buildings Johnson College is re-establishing its on-campus face-covering policy due to the contagious delta COVID-19 variant and Lackawanna County’s substantial COVID-19 spread. Effective immediately, all faculty, staff, students, and visitors, regardless of vaccinated status, must be masked at all times while inside on-campus buildings, classrooms, and labs. The health and safety of our campus community continues to be our top priority as we deliver our mission of student-centered, real-world, hands-on learning in a caring and safe environment. This plan is subject to change pending guidelines set forth by local, state, and national government officials and appropriate health agencies. For updated information, please visit our website, Johnson.edu.
Dentist Satya Upadhyayula, D.M.D., Joins the Wright Center for Community Health’s Mid Valley and Scranton Practices Satya Upadhyayula, D.M.D., a board-certified general practice dentist, has joined the oral health team at The Wright Center for Community Health, which includes two additional board-certified dentists and five certified public health dental hygienists. Dr. Upadhyayula is accepting new patients of all ages at The Wright Center’s Mid Valley location, 5 S. Washington Ave., Jermyn, as well as the Scranton location, 501 S. Washington Ave. Dr. Upadhyayula is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. He earned his master’s degree in oral biology from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry, Kentucky, and his bachelor’s degree in dental surgery from Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences, India. Prior to joining The Wright Center, Dr. Upadhyayula completed his oral and maxillofacial surgery internship at the University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, as well as externships with the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, and MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C. The Wright Center offers comprehensive dental services for the whole family, including emergency services and routine check-ups and cleanings, plus denture care, oral cancer screenings, extractions, fillings and X-rays. As a Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike, The Wright Center provides safety-net primary care — including dental, medical, behavioral/mental health, addiction and recovery, and Ryan White HIV services — regardless of insurance status or ability to pay, with a Sliding Fee Discount Scale available to eligible patients based on family size and income. To schedule a dental appointment with Dr. Upadhyayula, visit TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
From Piggy Banks to Scholarships, Local Students Growing Up With FNCB In 2014, FNCB Bank held a “piggy bank” contest in area elementary schools to teach children the importance of saving money. The contest encouraged children to use their creativity to design a piggy bank, which was then placed on display for employee and customer voting. Several weeks ago, when the FNCB Bank Foundation announced the winners of the 2021 merit scholarship awards, two familiar names appeared — Danielle Lamberti of Lackawanna Trail High School and Sarah Stettler of Holy Redeemer High School — amazingly, both were winners of the piggy bank contest held seven years ago when they were in fifth grade, including Ms. Lamberti’s “Best in Show” entry. In her scholarship entry, Ms. Lamberti, an incoming nursing major at Misericordia University, mentioned the importance of winning the piggy bank contest, saying it was “the start of her savings journey.” When asked how she felt about going from winning the piggy bank contest to being awarded a college scholarship, she said, “Ever since I won the piggy bank contest, I have been using FNCB Bank for all my personal banking. It’s all very encouraging to see how far I have come since 2014 and that every penny is hard earned. To win the scholarship now just ties in the sense of community and belonging I’ve felt, especially since winning.” She added, “This experience brings me much happiness through old and new memories and is so appreciated for my nursing future in college and after.” Similarly, Ms. Stettler, an incoming psychology major at King’s College, also opened her first savings account with FNCB after winning the piggy bank contest. “If it wasn’t for that piggy bank contest seven years ago, I may not have known about the scholarship opportunity,” she said. “There aren’t words strong enough to convey my deep appreciation for FNCB’s generosity.” Michael Cummings, FNCB’s Marketing Manager added, “We were delighted when we pieced together the connection, and proud to award them with yet another accomplishment. We wish them both the best of luck in the fall.” For more information on the FNCB Bank Foundation Scholarship program, please visit www.fncb.com/scholarship.
